Dhaka, Bangladesh experienced unhealthy air quality conditions on Thursday morning, ranking 15th on the global list of cities with poor air quality. At 8:59 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded a score of 119, indicating conditions unsuitable for sensitive groups.
Leading the list were India’s Delhi, Egypt’s Cairo, and Nepal’s Kathmandu with AQI scores of 385, 187, and 171 respectively. When the AQI value falls between 101 and 150, air quality is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups, signaling potential health risks.
The AQI serves as a crucial indicator of daily air quality, guiding residents on potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is measured based on five pollutants including particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka’s battle with air pollution is longstanding, typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution claims an estimated seven million lives globally each year, highlighting the urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate its impact on public health.
